Time to start wearing that mask or risk a $240 fine

After two months of giving warnings, Ottawa bylaw officers will beginticketingindividuals and businesses if they don't follow the rules that require masks in indoor public spaces.

City council passed the temporarybylaw on July 15, basing iton an earlier directive frommedical officer of health Dr. Vera Etches,but the ideawas to only educate people about covering their noses, mouths and chins.

• City's mandatory mask bylaw calls for fines up to $400
• Masks mandatory as of midnight in Ottawa, region

But with COVID-19 cases climbing and Ottawa now deemed a hot zone for the virus,bylaw officers will now start handing out tickets. They've given more than 250 verbal warnings, but as of last week, only a single fine.

"The days of warnings are over. This is serious," Mayor Jim Watson had told CBC's Ottawa Morning earlier this week.

$240 ticket for individuals

Individuals now face a fineof $240, which includes a victim surcharge. The fine for businesses and property owners not adhering to the bylaw is $490.

Bylaw officers can issue tickets if they think a warning isn't sufficient, the city said, or if the person or business is a repeat offender.

Masks arerequired in most public indoor spaces, includinghotel lobbies, gyms, and restaurants, while schools and child-care centres fall under different legislation.

• Masks now mandatory in common areas of apartment, condo buildings

In late August, city council amended its bylaw to add common areas of condos and apartment buildings. It also gave the city's general manager of emergency services the power to require mask use in outdoor areas deemed high-risk.

$10K fine possible under Ontario's gathering rules

The fines under the municipal mandatory mask bylaw, currentlyset to expire on Halloween, aren't the only rules local bylaw officers will enforce.

As of today, the provincial government has restricted gatherings in Ottawa to a maximum of25 people outdoorsand 10 people indoors.

Bylaw officers will also be enforcing those limits,whichapply to gatherings like parties, dinners, barbecues andwedding receptionswhether they're held in private homes, backyards or even parks.

• Mayor to step up enforcement on gathering limits in Ottawa
• Ontario rolls back gathering limits in some areas as 293 new COVID-19 cases reported

The new caps don't extend to places such as restaurants, movie theatres, banquet halls, gyms and convention centres.

Premier Doug Fordsaid the provincewould "throw the book" at those who break the new limits and would seta minimum fine of $10,000 for organizers of large gatherings.